By Mulengera Reporters
Equity Bank Uganda has intensified its support for the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a renewed partnership with KPMG and Nation Media Group (NMG) in launching the 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey, a flagship private sector initiative aimed at strengthening enterprise performance, resilience, and growth.
Launched at KPMG headquarters in Kampala on Thursday, June 25, the survey enters its 19th edition under the theme “Monetizing Uganda’s Economy through Innovation, Value Addition and Market Expansion.” The initiative is designed to help businesses convert Uganda’s positive economic growth outlook into tangible commercial success and sustainable expansion.
For nearly two decades, the Top 100 Survey has served as a leading benchmarking platform for mid-sized companies, enabling firms to measure performance, improve governance structures, enhance access to finance, and position themselves for growth. Since its inception, more than 2,400 SMEs across Uganda and the wider East African region have participated, with many graduating into larger corporate entities and exploring opportunities in capital markets.
Equity Bank, which has maintained a long-term partnership with the initiative, says its involvement goes beyond sponsorship and reflects a deliberate strategy to better understand SME challenges while shaping financial solutions that respond to real sector needs.
Speaking at the launch, Olivia Mugaba, Head of SME Banking at Equity Bank Uganda, said the survey plays a critical role in helping the bank design relevant products and partnerships for businesses operating in a highly dynamic and competitive environment.
She noted that the survey provides SMEs with a platform to voice their challenges while offering financial institutions insights needed to support enterprise development more effectively.
Mugaba observed that although SMEs contribute more than 90 percent of Uganda’s private sector activity, many continue to face high failure rates driven by limited access to affordable financing, weak financial management practices, poor record-keeping, and insufficient business planning.
She added that Equity Bank uses the findings from the survey to shape interventions that not only improve access to credit but also strengthen enterprise capacity and long-term sustainability.
According to her, financing alone is not sufficient to guarantee business success. She emphasized that the bank complements lending with linkages to technical support, business development services, and market opportunities to ensure enterprises are able to scale sustainably.
Through partnerships with government institutions, innovation hubs, and international development organizations, Equity Bank has expanded access to affordable credit and business support services for entrepreneurs across multiple sectors of the economy.
Nation Media Group Managing Director Susan Nsibirwa said this year’s theme reflects growing concerns among business leaders that Uganda’s strong macroeconomic performance is not always reflected in the performance of individual businesses.
She said the survey seeks to bridge that gap by helping enterprises understand how to convert macroeconomic growth into measurable business gains.
Nsibirwa added that beyond ranking companies, the Top 100 Survey provides practical value through expert-led engagements that cover taxation, governance, financing, and business strategy, all aimed at strengthening enterprise resilience.
The 2026 edition will run from July to October before culminating in a high-profile awards gala in December, where Uganda’s top-performing mid-sized companies will be recognized for excellence in business performance and growth.
KPMG Partner Peter Kyambade said the survey will focus on three key pillars driving business competitiveness: innovation, value addition, and market access.
He explained that companies that invest in innovation and move up the value chain are more likely to remain competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.
Kyambade also emphasized that expanding into new markets remains essential for SMEs seeking to scale operations and withstand economic shocks.
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has also backed the initiative, citing the sector’s growing contribution to Uganda’s economy and its reliance on SME participation across the value chain.
Director Basil Ajer said Uganda’s tourism sector continues to record strong growth, with visitor arrivals reaching approximately 1.64 million in 2025, while average visitor spending exceeded US$2,000 for the first time.
He noted that tourism growth is creating significant opportunities for SMEs in accommodation, transport, hospitality, and related services.
Ajer added that government is working to reduce the tax burden on tourism operators and expand access to affordable financing, particularly ahead of major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is expected to further stimulate sector growth.
Organisers say the Top 100 Survey remains one of Uganda’s most influential private sector development platforms, providing businesses with benchmarking data that informs investment decisions, policy direction, and access to financing.
For Equity Bank, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to supporting SMEs beyond traditional lending by investing in research, knowledge-sharing, and ecosystem partnerships that enable long-term enterprise growth.
As Uganda advances its industrialization, export expansion, and value addition agenda, stakeholders believe the insights generated from the survey will play a critical role in helping SMEs translate national economic potential into real business success. “When SMEs grow, Uganda grows,” Mugaba said. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
